The role of plant panallergens in sensitization to natural rubber latex

Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2001 Apr;1(2):177-83. doi: 10.1097/01.all.0000011004.49250.bc.

Abstract

Latex allergy represents an increasing occupational problem, mainly among healthcare workers. An association between latex allergy and hypersensitivity to some plant foods, particularly fruits (the latex-fruit syndrome), has been established. Class I chitinases with an N-terminal hevein-like domain from avocado, chestnut, banana and other foods, and latex hevein seem to be the allergens responsible for the cross-reactions involved in the latex-fruit syndrome. The potential role of other latex allergens, such as profilin, Hev b 5, Hev b 7 and beta-1,3-glucanases, in the co-sensitization to latex and plant foods is also discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Allergens / immunology*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Chitinases / immunology
  • Chitinases / metabolism
  • Cross Reactions
  • Ethylenes / pharmacology
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Humans
  • Latex / immunology
  • Latex Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plants / immunology*

Substances

  • Allergens
  • Ethylenes
  • Latex
  • ethylene
  • Chitinases